Photo by David Berding/Getty Images

Minnesota Timberwolves star needs to ‘become Luka Doncic level playmaker’ to reach the next level

Originally posted on NBA Analysis Network
By Aaditya Krishnamurthy | Last updated Sep 19, 2025 3:39 PM ET

The Minnesota Timberwolves have one young star who has to focus on his ability to distribute the ball like Luka Doncic.

The Minnesota Timberwolves are hoping to find a way past the Western Conference Finals. For the last two seasons, the Timberwolves have fallen at the final hurdle before the NBA Finals.

Heading into the new season, a change in mentality is needed. Anthony Edwards is ready to walk the walk and finally take the Timberwolves to the NBA Finals.

The loss in the last conference finals convinced Anthony Edwards that he isn’t as good as Luka Doncic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Perhaps this is the motivation he needed to try to improve his skills. And one NBA expert thinks he should try to replicate Doncic’s passing skills.

Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

Anthony Edwards must become a Luka Doncic-esque passer

Rob Mahoney spoke with Zach Lowe on their podcast about the Minnesota Timberwolves heading into the new season.

While the Timberwolves are planning to focus on their youth, they must be ready to rely on Anthony Edwards as a passer next season, or they won’t be able to succeed.

“They had to invest so much to retain Julius and Naz Reid in particular; it comes down to ‘our young guys have to get better’.

“If that doesn’t work, what it means is Anthony Edwards has to be better. And I don’t like the way that distills pressure on a guy who is already carrying so much.

“I don’t think the answer is Terrance Shannon. I don’t think the answer is Rob Dillingham.

“I think the answer is a lot of people looking at Ant and saying, ‘Can you be a Luka-level playmaker for game after game after game, and series after series after series. And that’s a lot to put on a guy.”

Anthony Edwards is shouldering a lot of responsibility next season

After the departure of Karl-Anthony Towns, Anthony Edwards became the lone superstar on the Minnesota Timberwolves.

While Julius Randle was a former All-Star, he didn’t perform at the same level that he did while with the New York Knicks.

With Randle signing a $100 million contract, he will be motivated to play at a higher level. But make no mistake about it, the Timberwolves will mostly be relying on Anthony Edwards.

Hopefully, the young superstar is able to live up to expectations and perform at the highest level like he has for the last few years.

This article first appeared on NBA Analysis Network and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: